(PORTLAND, Ore.) Hello Portlanders! It's Thursday, June 8 - Here's your daily round up of all the news happening in the City of Roses.
1. Authorities warn of 'dangerous batch of drugs circulating' after 15 overdoses in 5 days
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is warning people of “a potentially dangerous batch of drugs circulating the street marketplace” after 15 overdoses in the past five days, four of which were fatal. WCSO said all of the overdoses “are likely related to fentanyl use.”
Authorities said six of the overdoses and one of the fatalities occurred in Beaverton, while five overdoses and two of the fatalities were in unincorporated Washington County. One of the fatalities occurred in Hillsboro.
The Westside Interagency Narcotics Team is investigating all of the cases. WCSO said more information will be release when appropriate.
2. Morrison Bridge closing to all traffic for 2 weekends in June
The Morrison Bridge will shut down for two weekends in June to finish the bridge’s repainting project, according to Multnomah County. All motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will be unable to use the bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. over the weekends of June 16 - 19 and June 23 - 26.
The bridge is set to reopen on June 26, but city officials said the scheduled closures may change depending on weather or other issues. The closure is the last phase of a repainting project that began in January 2022. The bridge needed repainting because its original lead-based paint was peeling, according to Multnomah County.
3. Willamette Valley experiencing record-high pollen count
Health experts say a stretch of warm and dry weather in the Willamette Valley has led to a record-high pollen count in the region. Oregon Health & Science University Allergist Dr. Shyam Joshi said the lack of rain to keep pollen down and the increased heat is causing more grass pollen than usual to get into the air.
“Usually, end of May through June and then early July, we see a spike in specific grass pollen, and this is more so in the Willamette Valley, further south in the Eugene area, but here in Portland we get plenty of it as well,” Joshi told KOIN. “This year is a little bit more unique in that we’ve had really dry weather. Usually, we see a lot more rainy days through May than we did this year. And so, with this string of dry, warm weather it’s led to kind of an earlier and more robust pollination season.”
Joshi recommended people suffering with allergies to try to reduce their exposure by staying inside, closing windows, using air purifiers and washing their clothes, hands and face.
More Portland News:
- Portland cools to average early June temps Thursday, Friday
- 'It's about their choices not to act': Attorneys give closing arguments over Labor Day 2020 wildfires
- Portland organization wants to encourage people in support of LGBTQ+ youth to become foster parents
- PBOT calls for volunteers to count bicycles this summer
- 8 things to do around Portland this weekend | June 9-11
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